STARCH SYNTHASE Meaning and
Definition
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Starch synthase is an enzyme involved in the biosynthesis of starch, a complex carbohydrate molecule that serves as a major energy storage form in plants and some other organisms. It is responsible for catalyzing the formation of α-1,4-glycosidic linkages between glucose molecules, thereby converting soluble glucose molecules into insoluble starch granules.
Starch synthase belongs to the glycosyltransferase family and plays a crucial role in determining the structure and properties of starch. It works in conjunction with other enzymes, such as starch branching enzyme and starch debranching enzyme, to regulate the synthesis and branching of starch molecules. Starch synthase utilizes ADP-glucose as the substrate, utilizing the energy contained within this molecule to form the glycosidic bond between glucose units.
The activity of starch synthase is tightly regulated by various factors, including hormonal signals, light intensity, and the presence of other metabolites. Different isoforms of starch synthase exist in plants, which can have distinct properties and tissue-specific expression patterns. This diversity allows plants to produce starch with varying physical and chemical characteristics, such as the ratio of amylose to amylopectin or the size and shape of starch granules.
Understanding the function and regulation of starch synthase is important in plant science and agricultural research as it contributes to the understanding of starch metabolism and the engineering of starch with desired properties for food and industrial applications.
Common Misspellings for STARCH SYNTHASE
- atarch synthase
- ztarch synthase
- xtarch synthase
- dtarch synthase
- etarch synthase
- wtarch synthase
- srarch synthase
- sfarch synthase
- sgarch synthase
- syarch synthase
- s6arch synthase
- s5arch synthase
- stzrch synthase
- stsrch synthase
- stwrch synthase
- stqrch synthase
- staech synthase
- stadch synthase
- stafch synthase
- statch synthase
Etymology of STARCH SYNTHASE
The word "starch" originated from the Old English word "stercan" which means "to stiffen" or "to strengthen". It later evolved into the Middle English word "sterche" which referred to a stiff and rigid substance. The word "synthase" is derived from the Greek word "synthesis", meaning "to put together" or "to combine".
So, "starch synthase" is a compound term combining "starch", referring to a complex carbohydrate, and "synthase", denoting an enzyme responsible for synthesizing or putting together the starch molecule.
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